Self-assembling solid Sb electrode enables high-capacity, low-cost Ca-Sb battery.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Decarbonizing the power grid requires reliable, low-cost grid-scale energy storage.
• Current energy storage solutions face challenges in cost, capacity, and long-term performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel liquid metal battery with improved capacity, reduced electrode costs, and enhanced cycling stability.
• To explore the potential of solid-state electrodes in liquid metal battery chemistries.

Main Methods:

• Investigated a Calcium-Antimony (Ca||Sb(s)) liquid metal battery system.
• Replaced traditional liquid positive electrodes with solid particles.
• Analyzed battery performance over ~4000 deep discharge cycles.

Main Results:

• Achieved 318% higher discharge capacity (715 mAh g^-1 Sb) and 71% lower electrode cost compared to existing chemistries.
• Demonstrated minimal capacity fade and high coulombic (>98.4%) and energy efficiencies (79-84%).
• Observed self-assembly of an antimony network and mitigation of calcium dendrite growth.

Conclusions:

• The Ca||Sb(s) battery presents a promising, cost-effective solution for grid-scale energy storage.
• This technology can support the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources by ensuring grid reliability.
• The solid-state electrode approach offers a pathway to resilient and high-performance battery systems.